If you suspect your child has a reading difficulty, knowing where to actually start with an evaluation can feel confusing — should you go through the school, or seek outside help? This step-by-step guide walks through your options and exactly what to expect at each stage.
Step 1: Document What You're Noticing
Before requesting any evaluation, jot down specific examples of what's concerning you — reading below grade level, letter reversals, avoiding reading, spelling struggles, or slow, effortful reading. Specific examples are far more useful than a general sense that "something's off," both for a school evaluation and an outside specialist.
Step 2: Decide Between a School Evaluation and an Outside Evaluation
You have two main paths, and they're not mutually exclusive:
- School evaluation — request this in writing from your child's school. It's free and can lead directly to an IEP or 504 plan if your child qualifies, but timelines can be slow (federal law generally allows up to 60 days after consent) and the scope may be limited.
- Outside evaluation — often faster, more detailed, and can be pursued regardless of what the school decides. Results can also support or strengthen a school evaluation process.
Many families pursue both, using an outside evaluation to get quicker answers and, if needed, stronger documentation for the school process.
Step 3: Choose the Right Type of Assessment
Different assessments answer different questions:
- WIST Assessment — measures word reading and spelling accuracy directly
- Orton-Gillingham Assessment — evaluates phonological awareness, decoding, and spelling to plan structured literacy instruction
- Lindamood-Bell Assessment — looks at underlying symbol and concept imagery skills behind fluency and comprehension
- Full psychoeducational evaluation — a broader assessment, often needed for formal diagnosis or certain school accommodations
If you're not sure which is right, a brief consultation with a specialist can help clarify the best starting point based on what you've observed.
Step 4: Schedule the Evaluation
At The Learnability, founder Laila Madhani's team offers online evaluations, meaning your child can complete the assessment comfortably from home with a trained specialist, without needing to travel to an in-person testing center.
Step 5: Review the Results With a Specialist
A good evaluation doesn't just hand you a score — it should come with a clear explanation of what the results mean and what kind of support is recommended. Ask questions until you fully understand the findings; this is information you'll use to make decisions for your child.
Step 6: Act on the Results
Depending on what the evaluation reveals, next steps might include starting a specific reading intervention program, pursuing a school IEP or 504 meeting armed with outside documentation, or seeking a further, more comprehensive evaluation if the results point to a broader concern.
How The Learnability Supports This Process
Founder Laila Madhani built The Learnability's evaluation process to give parents clear, actionable answers quickly. Every evaluation includes:
- Experienced, specialist instructors — trained to administer and interpret assessments accurately
- Clear, understandable results — explained in plain language, not just scores
- A specific program recommendation — based directly on what the assessment reveals
- Support with documentation — that can complement a school evaluation process if needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to go through the school first?
No. You can pursue an outside evaluation at any time, independent of whether you've contacted the school.
How long does the school evaluation process take?
Federal law generally requires evaluations to be completed within 60 days of parental consent, though this can vary by state and district.
Will an outside evaluation be accepted by my child's school?
Many schools do accept outside evaluations as part of the documentation for eligibility decisions, though policies vary by district.
How much does an outside evaluation cost?
Pricing depends on the type and scope of assessment. Contact The Learnability for current rates.
What if the evaluation shows my child doesn't have a reading disability?
That's still valuable information — it can rule out a specific concern and point you toward other explanations, such as attention, vision, or a different type of learning difference.
Get Clear Answers, Not More Waiting
The sooner you get a proper evaluation, the sooner you can move from uncertainty to a real plan for your child.
Book your free trial session today, or learn more about our learning disability evaluations.
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